Re-energize your home: Tips from the experts

After the spring cleaning is complete, you might find yourself in need of a home refresh. Whether you invigorate your oasis with décor elements or decide a remodel is in order, we chatted with local home experts to help with all your needs. 

Q. What home trends are popular right now? 

A. Clean lines, simple details, natural wood textures, natural stone, increased implementation of lighting with cabinetry, large workstation sinks, zone refrigeration (beverage refrigerators, wine refrigerators, freezer drawers), mixed materials (wood, metal, stone, tile), small appliance storage/workstation cabinets.

—Laurah Boogaard, 
Kitchen West Design Studio, Douglas 

A. After spending a lot more time in our homes the past two years, the top interiors design trends are focused on making homes warm, welcoming and cozy. In addition, dual-purpose rooms have become important to homeowners.

Hardwood and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) are still strong for floor coverings. Mid- to dark-brown floors with oversize planks are trending right now. Brown flooring adds comforting, visual warmth and it forever will be a classic. Custom-sized area rugs are a popular choice to use in conjunction with hardwood and LVP. Carpet is still the No. 1 choice for bedrooms.  

Back-to-nature color palettes and florals are on trend with fabric and wallpaper. Texture plays a key role in how cozy a space feels, so expect to see lots of plush textiles. Green is the new everything. From sage to emerald to hunter green — greens are the it accent color. Earthy colors of chocolate browns, camels and caramels are being used for leather furniture and upholstery. Soft, curvy furniture has replaced the straight lines of recent years. The use of pleated draperies continues to gain in popularity. Cellular, roller and roman shades are the perfect choice for your window treatments. They can add a refined style to a room as well as being energy efficient.

Quartz is the leading material for countertops. White and cream with subtle patterns and movement are the most popular choices. White continues to lead as the top choice for kitchen cabinets, backsplashes and walls. Classic subway tile and modern hexagons remain top picks for backsplashes. Green with natural wood elements, such as oak and walnut, are also being used for cabinetry.  

Many homeowners are working toward upgrading their homes to include smart home automation. Technology designed to make their homes smarter, safer and more convenient continue to trend. Adding a power operating system to blinds and shades is one of the smart options available for homeowners.

—Wendy Arens, 
DeWaard Interiors, Holland 

Q. What carpet trends are you seeing right now? 

A. It’s exciting to see carpet making a statement in a home! We are seeing geometric, plaid, and abstract watercolor-like patterns being used in rooms and stairs. We are seeing bold choices in color and people choosing light neutrals to add visual texture to a room. We are also seeing an interest in natural fibers like wool, which add a level of coziness and texture to a space. Carpet has an ability to add dimension and warmth to a room by being installed wall to wall or being bound into rugs to go over a hard surface floor. 

—Jenna Fox,
Carpet Bonanza, Zeeland 

Q. What is the difference between granite and quartz? How do I choose which is best for my home?

A. Granite is a natural stone, mined from the earth, taken straight from the mountain, no piece is exactly like the next. Quartz is a manufactured product that has many colors available. Both options are extremely durable — heat, stain and scratch resistant.  

Daily care will look similar for each material if you choose one of these. You will want to use nothing abrasive to clean, and make sure to use cutting boards, even though they are hard to scratch, they can still dull your knives. And both, while heat resistant, still recommend the use of a trivet to protect from pots and pans straight from the oven or stove. 

The main difference of care would be that granite requires a sealer. Sealers have come a long way, though. We have penetrating sealers that, depending on the material and wear/tear, can last for up to 20 years. Whereas in the past, you used to need to seal every six months to a year, that is no longer the case.

When deciding between the two, I typically determine this based off the style you are hoping to accomplish. For example, if you are looking for a piece of art to show off on your island, there are some beautiful natural stones that will accomplish just this. Or if you are looking for a solid color to keep your kitchen minimalistic and clean and simple, quartz is an excellent product to use in this type of design. Or, maybe you just like something that no one else has — granite would be a great option to go with. Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong. Both are excellent choices and will be sturdy enough to last through the years.

—Donna Parker, 
DUCA Tile & Granite, Holland 

Q. What are some of the current kitchen design trends? Colors, features, must-haves?

A. White kitchens are and will still be a very classic choice of finishes, but colorful cabinetry will be popular. Black accents in fixtures and appliances add a touch of boldness to this design. Clients want less clutter in their kitchens, so you will see less and less wall cabinets in the design. Instead, there will be customized storage in other places throughout the kitchen. 

Kitchens will not look like typical kitchens but extensions of the other living spaces in the home. Multiple islands will be used when the space allows, and upscale details can be added. Oak cabinetry is making a comeback in lighter, more neutral colors and with its subtle elegance. These kitchen designs will be paired with pattern floors and statement backsplashes.

—Cindy Schaap, 
HÓM by Benchmark, Holland